Dylan Hill made his long-awaited return from injury on Sunday and now that he’s back he wants to help Dubbo Macquarie claim the 2016 Group 11 premiership.
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Hill suffered a torn medial ligament in his knee and severe bone bruising during a pre-season clash between the Raiders and Parkes.
That injury kept him out for more than three months but it was against the Spacemen on Sunday when the powerful prop returned.
Hill started the match and got through plenty of minutes as he helped side record a 40-24 win which moved the Raiders back into fourth spot on the ladder.
Hill’s return follows on from that of Mason Williams recently while Rowan Orcher is back in the side after serving his lengthy suspension.
Combined with Kiyan Shaw returning from a short injury-related stint on the sideline and Jade Hooper’s expected return from an ankle knock, the Macquarie prop feels it is all starting to come together for the Steve McLellan-coached side.
We can definitely go all the way if we can all stay fit.
- Dylan Hill
“After a long pre-season and everything it was just good to be out there with the boys,” Hill said.
“What I’ve said to the boys is that it (injuries) could be a bit of a blessing because we’re coming to the back end of the year and if we can get to that second or third spot like Steve wants us to then we can set ourselves to have a good crack at the Group 11 competition.
“We can definitely go all the way if we can all stay fit.”
Hill admitted he was pleased with his efforts on Sunday before exiting the match during the second half.
A knock to his knee saw him leave the field but the former Cronulla SG Ball player stated it was more of a precaution than recurrence.
Hill’s efforts not only pleased himself, but also his coach.
“I think Dylan surprised himself,” McLellan said.
“He got through a good 20 minutes first up and then another spell so that was really positive and it will make it easier for him to build up some game time.”
Game time and match fitness is exactly what Hill wants from here on in.
While he had the responsibility of being team manager while injured, Hill confessed it was frustrating and difficult sitting on the sideline each week.
“I want to play every week now to get that match fitness up so I can perform up to my top notch and not let the boys down as we aim for finals,” he said.
Next up for Hill and the Raiders is the difficult trip to Nyngan.
It is an important match for all grades with firsts and under-18s currently in fourth while the reserve grade side sits in third.
“We’ve had some tough, close games and it will be no easier with Nyngan next and then Forbes and Narromine and they’re all form teams so the boys will have to turn up each week,” Hill said.
In other Group 11 fixtures this coming weekend, runaway leaders CYMS travel to Wellington to take on the Cowboys, while Westside play host to the Parkes Spacemen and the Narromine Jets welcome the Forbes Magpies to Cale Oval.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
